Monday, June 27, 2016

"Things need not have happened to be true. Tales and dreams are the shadow-truths that will endure when mere facts are dust and ashes, and forgot." - Morpheus, Sandman

I saved the freaking out for the stage.
Photo by KWN Design
www.kwndesign.com

The
beginning of April was uneventful, which gave me to time to focus on producing
my next Tuesday Tease and get a handle on the effects of my medication.I've struggled with anxiety for a while but
only started pharmacological treatment recently.The meds caused drowsiness and disrupted my
sleep patterns, making me sluggish and scatterbrained.I had one of those weeks where I just kept
forgetting things, and unfortunately that happened with the week of my two
shows at Tuesday Tease and Glitterbomb.

I'm sure
stress was a factor, particularly with Tuesday Tease.Lillith was more hands-off this time, but I
knew that going in.The theme was comic
books, and everything ready to go a week ahead.Then scheduling conflicts popped up.I learned my lesson with Dawn of the Nerd and immediately started
contacting back-ups.I also ran through
"Black Glasses" in case I needed to step in last minute.It turned out I did.

Since I
had made Plans B, C, and D, I wasn't too worried the day of the show.However, a severe thunderstorm that could
potentially develop into a tornado decided to hit.I kept my eyes on the weather report, and the
cast decided that the show must go on.Every member of the cast and crew (including our photographers) deserve
so much props for making it out.I also
have to commend the small but dedicated crowd of Tease fans and comic book
geeks (as well as some newbies).It was
fun to meet people who hadn't seen "Black Glasses", and I don't think
anybody cared that I forgot my Hulk shorts.

The same
week, I was to perform at a special Glitterbomb show that also doubled as the
wedding ceremony for my Academy of Queerlesque classmate Cheyenne and her partner Nephenee.Our mutual friend Melanie was kind enough to give me a ride, allowing me
to do the show and attend the wedding.However, I managed to forget part of my costume again.I felt really bad for missing part of the
ceremony to search.At the same time, I
wanted to pull off a good performance, and I needed to be ready.It turned out that I had forgotten to transfer
the things to another bag because they were in a separate bag (I put shoes in a
plastic bag so they don't get my luggage and clothes dirty).

Despite
that stressful moment, I was very moved by the words exchanged between the brides, and that helped clear my mind.I improvised the missing bits and used this as an opportunity to see how I could work the crowd without relying on anything
but my body.The Glitterbomb audience loved
my "Ring Ring Ring" act, and I was honored to be a part of this special
show, especially after learning that Cheyenne had introduced her wife to this
blog.It's great to have people champion
your work because while I've learned at a young age to rely on myself,
supporters give you that extra push to try even harder and go that extra mile.I hope Nephenee and Cheyenne are doing well
in Canada!

I'm happy
to say I haven't been as forgetful as I was that week… at least with burlesque
(I still sometimes have to go back to lab to put something up).Both shows reminded me that even if I
primarily dance for myself, I do have an audience to entertain.On the flipside, that also means I have
supporters.They may not come to every
one of my performances or be very vocal on-line, but they are there.So thank you all for taking the time to watch
me, follow me, and read my writing!

For those of you who are available, Tony Fo-Hawk is performing at tomorrow's Tuesday Tease.

Thursday, June 16, 2016

I was going to make a post about Orlando, but like many in the LGBTQIAP community, I'm struggling to find the right words. Glitterbomb had a different theme this week, but we decided it would be best to celebrate us and our pride. Therefore instead of just having Tony Fo-Hawk do two numbers, he and I are going to share the act that got us through some tough times. Because sometimes we need a little rage.

The other act is still a solo from him. If you're a fan of Hamilton, you don't want to miss it. The show is tonight at Mable Peabody's.

I suppose now is a good time as any to announce that I have been accepted into the first-ever Texas Queerlesque Festival. I'm performing in the Friday night Sequins and Sass Showcase. It's going to be an amazing weekend, and if you want to volunteer, vend, or sit on the producers panel, please click on the link above for more info.

Friday, June 10, 2016

"Audiences know what to expect, and that is all they are prepared to believe in." - Player King, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead by Tom Stoppard

As you've
noticed, I have been quiet lately, both here and on the stage.I really burned myself out in March but
couldn't stop going until the end of April.Add in some changes to my health, and I've had to readjust my overall
lifestyle.It's a work in progress.Oh and my photo editing program died on me
(which is pertinent as you will find out later).

Inspired
by one of my favorite BMX riders Scotty Cranmer, I attempted to start making
video for Youtube.However, my daily
life isn't that exciting, and both lab and backstage have aspects that are off
limits.So it's back to writing, which
better fits my skill set and technological resources.

By Neither Noir
www.neithernoir.com

I did
seven panels at All-con this year.Although I enjoy talking about all of the topics, that's a lot to
handle.Thankfully, and unfortunately,
Vylette La'Pairadoux and I decided to put Ladies of Power on indefinite
hiatus.There are other cosplay charity
groups and panels about social issues, and both of us are more focused on
burlesque anyway.I do have a new panel
idea that I would like to submit next year, but I have to make sure I don't
overdue.

Despite my
exhaustion, I had a great time.Ben Dover joined Black Mariah and me for the nerdlesque panel; it was cool getting
a drag perspective.As you may have seen
with an earlier post, I got lots of wonderful photos by Neither Noir, including
some of my new Flannery cosplay with The Companion as Flareon (both from Pokemon). I even got to talk skateboarding with the guys! Unfortunately I forgot to lint roll my shirt so I have to do some editing to get rid of Flareon's tail fluff.

Shortly
after All-con was the third Quentin Tarantino tribute: Burlesque Is a
Basterd.I debuted my O-Ren Ishii act at
the last tribute so I was excited to show off the revamped version.However, I initially did not feel as well-rehearsed,
but I hustled during the days leading up to the show and focused on the areas
that needed work.Then my sword broke
the night before the show.The Companion
was kind enough to make a late night run for glue and my dad has since then
helped me reinforce the blade, but I'm thinking I need to scrap a particular move
that I don't always execute successfully anyway.

By Firebird Images
www.firebirdimages.com

Regardless
of that and my panic about being late as a result of my late work schedule (I
should take show days off but it disrupts the lab a lot), this was probably my
best performance as O-Ren.I may not
have gotten all the moves, but I really felt in character.Practicing only the facial expressions has
helped a lot.I also added fishnets to
the costume and realized how much they flatter my butt.It makes a huge difference when you don't
have much junk in the trunk!

By Firebird Images
www.firebirdimages.com

The cast
and crew consisted of people I'd met from different shows, which was cool.The crowd was awesome; one guy even recognized me from All-con!I've been thinking about what I would do if I
decided to bring a new routine to the next Tarantino tribute.Honestly I haven't seen too many his films so
I don't know.I know Gogo Yubari is the
obvious answer, but I'd have to learn how to spin poi (and make a less spiky
weapon) to do her properly.It's too
early, and I'm only just feeling good about O-Ren.Perhaps it's better to focus on continuing to
improve the act.It's sort of like my
History of Burlesque panel at All-con.Every year it's always popular (okay, not so much this year due to the
timing and location), and it's got good content so I keep doing it.Old and familiar isn't necessarily bad
because they might not be so for others.